Ansonia police swear in new lieutenant in City Hall ceremony

26-year member of force thanks family, friends for their support

Patrick Lynch and his wife, Dalila, pose for photos after the swearing-in ceremony Thursday in Ansonia City Hall.






Mayor David S. Cassetti, back to camera, congratulates Patrick Lynch as Police Chief Kevin Hale looks on.

Patrick Lynch addresses a crowd of supporters, including family members and fellow police officers, after he was sworn in as a new lieutenant.


Please click here to read a story about the ceremony by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Wesley Village in Shelton offers dementia support group

SHELTON - Do you know or care for someone recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia? Are you in need of support? You’re not alone! 

Caregivers are invited to Wesley Village July 21 and every third Thursday of the month, from 2-3 p.m. for an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group. 

The group will offer problem-solving techniques and helpful support for families and caregivers, and will be facilitated by Wesley Village staff. Your loved one is welcome to participate in activities in a secure environment while you attend the support group. 

For more information or to RSVP, call 203-225-5024 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. 

The group will be held at Wesley Heights and Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Village. 

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Buy local at Sunday farm market on Derby Green

Sharing a message from Marc Garofalo, Derby City/Town Clerk:

On behalf of Mayor Anita Dugatto, the City of Derby is pleased to announce the Derby Green Market that will be held weekly on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Historic Derby Green, Elizabeth Street, Derby until October 16, 2016.

The Market will offer fresh local produce, plants, honey and fresh baked goods.  It will also feature children’s activities, music, and fun for the whole family.

Mayor Dugatto would like to invite all area residents to support locally grown sustainable food sources in an effort to eat healthy and enjoy the summer.

“There is nothing better than fresh fruits and vegetables that are locally grown.  Come to Derby on Sunday to enjoys the fruits of the local harvest,” noted Dugatto.

Newsletter highlights concert in Ansonia, Meetup event in Shelton, and a rainbow

Dear readers,

This week's Valley Voice newsletter is now available. 
Please click here and enjoy!

It includes our experience at last week's Meetup at the wine down at Jones Family Farms in Shelton, Ralph's story about a concert by All Funk'd Up in Ansonia, and more.

Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to host presentation about snakes

DERBY - Learn about snakes and see common and exotic species of snakes during a presentation by a Beardsley Park Zoo representative 9:30 a.m.-noon July 16 at Kellogg Environmental Center.  

Throughout the morning discover how snakes contribute to the environment, how they improve our lives, the threats they face and wildlife rehabilitation.  

Other morning activities include on-going crafts, a special native snake display by Hungerford Nature Center, and additional reptile information. 

This event is free and open to the public.  

All ages are encouraged to come and celebrate the wonder of snakes.   

Registration is requested, but not required.  Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds following a morning of activities.  

The Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  

For further information, or directions, contact the Kellogg Environmental Center at 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

This is a press release from DEEP.

Technology is great, until ...

I realize it's not the end of the world, but it is incredibly annoying.

What's that you ask? Why it's when the Internet is not working.

That means we can't work. And what fun is that?

But it's back now, and so I'm back doing what I was going to do several hours ago. 

Valley United Way allocates more than $450K for local nonprofit programs

Boys & Girls Club tops list of agencies

SHELTON - Valley United Way's Board of Directors is pleased to announce more than $450,000 in allocations for programs and services in the Valley. 

The decision followed an extensive review of requests conducted by United Way's allocations volunteers headed by Ned Miller and Ron Villani. 

Twenty-one volunteers spent time in May and June visiting with the agencies and examining their budgets and programs.

Valley United Way President & C.O.O. Jack Walsh noted that the volunteers devoted an enormous amount of time to the process to ensure that the dollars allocated return the best possible impact to the community. 

He thanked the volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making the difficult funding decisions as the requests always exceed the amount of funding available. "It's an important and difficult task, but they do an exceptional job of balancing the needs of the community with the available funding," he said. 

The funding runs from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

Members of the Allocations Committee were Tom Christiano, Mark Daconto, John DeGray, Jim Geissler, Dave Grant, Mona Kadiwar, Jennifer Kalasardo, Rob Lesko, and Mary McNelis. 

Also serving were Mary Ann Miskowicz, Tricia O'Malley, Cindy Rinaldi, Rich Rosen, Bob VanEgghen, Rob VanEgghen, Scott Walker, Patricia Webster, Tom Welch and Phil White.

Allocations were made to American Red Cross ($18,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters ($4,000), Boy Scouts - Housatonic Council ($40,000), Boys & Girls Club ($85,000), Catholic Charities ($36,000), Christian Counseling Center ($6,000), Derby Day Care Center ($4,500), Domestic Violence Center (BHcare - $26,000) Family Resource Center (TEAM, Inc. - $8,500), Girl Scouts of CT ($4,000) 2-1-1 ($10,000), Julia Day Nursery ($1,500), Meals on Wheels (TEAM, Inc. - $9,500), Parent Child Resource Center ($48,000), Rape Crisis Center ($20,000), Recreation Camp ($7,000), SONCCA ($500), Spooner House ($27,000), St. Vincent DePaul ($9,000), U.S.O. ($450), Valley YMCA ($41,500), Visiting Nurse Association of SCC ($10,000), and Volunteer Center ($50,000).

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. 

United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. 

Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.

Seymour firemen to host carnival after nearly 4-decade hiatus

SEYMOUR - Citizens' Engine Co. No. 2 has revived a fun summer tradition: the fireman's carnival. 
It will be held July 21-23 on the grounds of the Community Center, 20 Pine St.

Click here to read the full story by New Haven Register correspondent extraordinaire Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.